“Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss Recall a time when another reached out offering a caring word of encouragement, gratitude, sympathy, or a smile with a kind word. What feeling did it invoke? We live in a time of unrest, experiencing wars around Read more »
Sister Deborah Harmeling was born on December 24, 1946 to George O. Harmeling and Ella Mary Holt, and given the name Mary Jo. She was the older of two children; her brother George followed. Mary Jo entered St. Walburg Monastery in 1964 and became a novice in 1965, receiving the name Deborah. First profession followed Read more »
This is unusual for me. I don’t write long blogs but this is so important to me that it’s definitely longer than usual. The intercommunity Justice and Peace group sponsored two presentations on the Catholic teachings and immigration recently. Both included presentations by Sisters who have worked with immigrants here and at the border in Read more »
Recently I read a book by Francis S. Collins, The Road to Wisdom: on Truth, Science, Faith and Trust. Dr. Collins as a scientist, a man of faith, and a servant leader, oversaw the work of our nation’s medical research agency the NIH through turbulent times. He led this Institute under three very different presidents. I Read more »
While tending to the telephone last Saturday, I chose the America magazine (July-August 2025) for use during the quiet times. One of the articles by Bronwen McShea was entitled “A Woman Problem or a History Problem?” Naturally it caught my attention. As I was reading through the article, I realized I was reviewing my own Read more »
My Kreinbrink great-grandparents had eight children (over a 19-year period) who survived to grow to adulthood. One of them, my grandfather, had eleven children over a 22-year period. My father was born at year 20 and his younger brother at year 22. We younger children grew up having first cousins who were as old as Read more »
This apparently simple question has an almost infinite number of layers. When I asked one computer search engine this question, its answer was more than 18,000. A better answer? Incalculable. Why? Here are some thoughts and implications. Since God is infinitely beyond what we humans can imagine, every human, every culture, pictures God differently. Multiply Read more »
One of the first attractions when approaching St. Walburg Monastery is the Angel Garden at the base of the Infirmary Entrance stairs and door. White hydrangea trees frame the statue and are complemented with shrubs and colorful impatiens. Several years ago, the garden was an anniversary gift to Sr. Emmanuel from John and Maria Martini. Read more »
Recently I recalled early events in my life that helped me grow in faith and I call them glimpses of faith. Early in my life, I remember my grandmother saying to me, “You have been good today; wasn’t that easy?” Yes, I thought, it was easy to be good! I remember when I was about Read more »
This was a question that I was recently asked to consider, an excellent question. There are so many human-made, environmental (also influenced by humans), destructive and cruel happenings that hope feels like a stranger. Despite the many horrific situations, however, what gives me hope is God’s mercy, care and God’s goodness manifested in the lives Read more »